Matcha versatile - classic, energy drink or milkshake
Green tea has also become a popular drink outside Japan and China. It has been recognized that green tea is not only very tasty, but also has a strong positive effect on health. One type of Japanese green tea that is extremely versatile to prepare is particularly popular: Matcha. Whether as a classic hot drink, pre-workout drink, energy drink or as a dessert. What tastes good is allowed. In this article, we present some of our favorite recipes that we actually use regularly.
Overview
Which matcha should you buy?
Mr. Yoshiharu inspects his tea plants from which our Matcha No.2 is made.
Before we begin: a word about the quality of matcha. One reads again and again the recommendation that for cooking and baking matcha of low quality is sufficient. We don't see it that way. After all, you drink matcha for at least one of two possible reasons: Enjoyment and health benefits. If I want the full taste of matcha, I use the best matcha I can afford and want. For the health effect, you also need the best possible quality. Only then are many of the healthy ingredients actually in it. Whether the Matcha is drunk pure, mixed as a cold drink or eaten as a dessert, therefore, does not matter to us. We always want the full taste and the best possible effect on health. Therefore, do yourself a favor and always take only healthy high quality Matcha such as one of our Match as or a Matcha with comparable quality.
The classic method: Chawan 茶わん and Chasen 茶筅.
The classic preparation of matcha at the same time requires some concentration. In a tea bowl (Chawan 茶わん) we make ¼ - ½ teaspoon of matcha powder. We pour it all with 75-125ml of non-boiling water (60°-70°C is perfect here). Then we take the matcha whisk, which we have previously soaked in warm water for 20-30s, (Chasen 茶筅) and beat the tea in W-shaped movements until frothy. While doing this, try to keep the wrist as loose as possible. This method has a nice side effect: you take yourself out of the daily routine for a moment and focus entirely on making the perfect foam. Since it does not take long, it is quite suitable for everyday office life.
Tip: No tea bowl and matcha whisk at hand? A simple cereal bowl and a small whisk or similar will do. You won't get the perfect foam, but it tastes just as good.
Energy Drink or Pre-Workout Drink
Pre-workout drink: matcha provides the necessary energy and concentration. Image: Viktor Ristic(Pixabay)
Sometimes it has to go fast. Sometimes you just don't feel like handling a lot of utensils and sometimes you simply don't have the energy. Then there is a very simple method for a fixed energy boost that lasts longer than coffee & Co. and leads to no unwanted side effects. Take a classic shaker with a sieve insert and add 1-2 teaspoons of matcha powder and about 200ml of warm water. Then shake briefly and the healthy energy booster is ready. We like to use this drink as a pre-workout drink. Especially when the motivation is missing early in the morning. It makes you awake, gives you an energy boost and that without making you nervous or shaky. It could hardly be easier.
Tip: To all bodybuilders out there: You can leave the coffee. Matcha also increases the pump. It has the same vasodilating effect as espresso or caffeine tablets.
The quick meal / pre-workout smoothie
Smoothies are a fixed and healthy snack. With matcha, even more so. Image: StockSnap (Pixabay)
You may know it too. Just before you want to go to the gym, you notice: your stomach is growling. The energy reserves are exhausted. Now a muesli or even a roll and an egg for breakfast? By the time you've digested all that, you'll have already finished your workout. But there is a quickly prepared and, above all, quickly digested alternative: a smoothie. Our favorite recipe can be drunk by anyone, because our smoothie is vegan and gluten-free. Take a 1-2 teaspoons of matcha, a banana, 50g of rolled oats, 30g of protein powder (optional) of your choice and about 200ml of water. This is pureed once well in the blender and ready is the fixed meal. You can of course add or substitute many other ingredients for your smoothie. As a pre-workout meal, however, it should be easily digestible. The matcha provides a nice energy boost. Sweetened can be depending on taste with thick juices or as a vegetarian version with honey. 30-45min after the smoothie, you can usually already start with the sport. Try it out for yourself, what suits you best.
Tip: If the smoothie is to be an occasional substitute for a meal, protein and fat are necessary in addition to carbohydrates. Protein powder, whether animal or vegetable, is particularly suitable because of its solubility. Add a sip of olive or flax oil and you have all the macronutrients you need for a meal.
The best for dessert: Matcha milkshake
Everyone is talking about the Matcha Latte and yes, it is really delicious. But we want to expand your dessert horizons a little. This milkshake is no more elaborate than a matcha latte and even tastier. That's right. Because it does have ice cream in it, after all. We can't detect any ice cream in the matcha latte - can you 😉?
Matcha ice cream or milkshake? We have maybe a small scoop of ice cream more reingemacht. But we have also used the very healthy matcha from Mr. Hasegawa ;)
The milkshake is quickly made. Mix 1 teaspoon of matcha with a little warm water and whip until creamy. This mixture comes together with 2-3 scoops of vanilla ice cream and 50ml milk in the blender. Blend the whole thing evenly and the (relatively healthy) calorie bomb is ready. Of course, it also works without a blender. Just pour the hot matcha directly over the ice cream, let it thaw briefly and then top up with some milk. We always enjoy the milkshake according to this simple recipe.
Tip: Frozen fruit, chocolate chips, almond milk, other types of ice cream, baked waffles, honey, crispy bacon...pretty much anything you can think of goes into a (matcha) milkshake. Let your creativity run wild and have fun trying it out.
CONCLUSION: No limits
The versatility of matcha makes it one of the easiest ingredients for a healthier life. The end of the line in terms of recipe ideas is far from being reached here. And even without preparing matcha traditionally, you can benefit from its unique taste and its positive effect on health. In any case, you have our OK for it😉.